CMA defeats legal challenge in medicine pricing case

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has welcomed the landmark judgment, which endorses all the main elements of the CMA’s decision in respect of liothyronine tablets – an essential medicine to treat thyroid hormone deficiency.

UK drugmaker Advanz Pharma, the sole supplier of the tablets, increased prices by over 1,000% from £20 to £248 per pack between 2009 and 2017, resulting in an £84 million ($107 million) fine.

Michael Grenfell, executive director, enforcement, at the CMA, said: “We are delighted that the Competition Appeal Tribunal has unanimously upheld the CMA’s infringement findings. Today’s landmark judgment reinforces the need for companies to think carefully about how they set prices and paves the way for the NHS to seek compensation. The CMA will continue to crack down on companies which abuse their market power in ways that harm people and the wider economy.”